§ Mr. Frank Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on whose authority the word living has been removed from the phrase minimum living level in the version of the new code of conduct for EEC firms operating in South Africa, currently being circulated by his Department; what action he proposes to take to restore the original wording; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkI refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him today by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.
566Wimposes on the electronic components industry. There is a considerable disincentive to assemble these components in the Community created by the lower duties of 4 or 4.9 per cent. payable on assemblies of two or more of these devices mounted on printed circuit boards for use in data processing equipment. Consequently, the Government have pressed strongly within the Community for a large reduction in this duty. Despite considerable opposition from several member states the United Kingdom has secured a reduction in the duty on semi-conductors from 17 to 14 per cent. from 1 January 1986.
The Government remain committed to seeking a further large reduction in this duty rate in the new GATT round of multilateral trade negotiations expected to be launched in September.